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Spotted Lake (near Osoyoos BC, Canada)

© Joan E. Hoffman

Spotted Lake (near Osoyoos BC, Canada)

Uploaded: December 10, 2011

Description

“Since the dawn of history, Spotted Lake or “Ha? Ki lil xw” been a sacred place. Indians from all tribes came to visit the Lake for the medicine the lake contains. The ceremonial cairns, too numerous to count that surround the lake testify to that. Some of these are so ancient they have sunk underground and only their tops remain above ground. Some are buried altogether. There are many stories told by our ancestors about the cures this lake has provided, physically and spiritually

Exif: F Number: 18, Exposure Bias Value: 0.00, ExposureTime: 1/160 seconds, Flash: did not fire., ISO: 250, White balance: Auto white balance, FocalLength: 26.00 mm, Model: NIKON D300

Comments

Joan E. Hoffman December 10, 2011

Mineral and salt concentration

Spotted Lake is very highly concentrated with numerous different minerals. It contains some of the highest quantities (in the world) of magnesium sulfate, calcium and sodium sulphates. It also contains extremely high concentrations of 8 other minerals as well as some small doses of four others such as silver and titanium.

Most of the water in the lake evaporates over the summer, leaving behind all the minerals. Large “spots” on the lake appear and depending on the mineral composition at the time, the spots will be different colors. The spots are made mainly of magnesium sulfate, which crystallizes in the summer. In the summer only the minerals in the lake remain, and they harden to form natural “walkways” around and between the spots.
Originally known to the First Nations of the Okanagan Valley as Khiluk, they considered it a sacred site, primarily as they regarded the lake's waters as possessing therapeutic value. The lake’s minerals were also put to use in the manufacture of ammunition for World War I.

The lake and its surrounding land were not actually owned by the first Nations; it was owned by the Ernest Smith Family for about 40 years. Despite this, the First Nations were very protective of the lake; so protective that when, in 1979, Smith attempted to have a spa at the lake, they attempted to buy the lake so they could keep it as a sacred site.

After over 20 years of trying but failing to convince Smith to sell the land, they finally did make a deal in late October 2001, when they bought 22 hectares of land for a total of $720,000. The First Nations paid $150,000 while the Indian Affairs Department paid the remainder. #1429245

Joan E. Hoffman December 10, 2011

Sorry to be away so long... Getting through it

Here is a close up of the "Spots" #9858098

Carolyn McIntosh December 10, 2011

Love, love, love this photo. We go through here every now and then on our way South from our daughter's. She lives in BC . .. we in Alberta. #9858108

Dale Hardin December 10, 2011

Thanks for all the history on this site Joan. I thought the Okanagan were a Washington State tribe. Exactly where is this located? #9858472

Rita K. Connell level-classic December 11, 2011

your original post is very nicely composed. and the circles on the lake is very interesting I am so glad you have given us the history on it. very every interesting.

glad to have you commenting again. #9859063

Joan E. Hoffman December 11, 2011

Thanks Carolyn and Rita. At present you cannot go onto the site. Apparently they are building a "facility" of some sort for viewing.


Dale... The Okanagan valley extends from BC into Washington state. from what I can see.... a bit more on the canadian side than the american. Osoyoos itself is about 2 Km from the border, and Orreville WA is about 12 km from here. Omak is about 75 km... so about a 40 minute ride. As you probably know... most tribes that transverse the border do not recognize it officially. #9859597

Stephen Shoff December 11, 2011

I like the close up. It is cohesive and has a pleasing color palette. There is the hint of some leading lines in it -- from the upper left at a shallow angle through the light colored circles to the middle of the right side, and then another from the upper left down through the larger circles to the bottom. I wonder if some subtle, selective darkening of the upper right and lower right areas might bring those lines out a little more and provide some motion in it.

The original looks a bit over-processed to me. The sky seems a bit bright for the overall composition. It pulls my attention away from the interesting part of the image, the lake and colorful foreground. I almost wish you could crop it to a panorama. #9859885

Peter W. Marks December 11, 2011

Totally intrigued, totally fascinated Joan. Thank you so much for sharing this image and including so much information. It is like reading a synopsis of a National Geographic piece.
Now off I go a-googling to fill a few more empty spaces in my brain cells with additional info! #9859932

Beth Spencer December 11, 2011

Thanks for all the information. It is extremely interesting. I have never been there or heard of it before, that I can remember, so I am glad you provided that information.
It looks like it would be a very solemn and peaceful place to visit. #9860162

Jeff E Jensen December 12, 2011

Very interesting! I'm with Stephen on the close-up, very cool. I think his suggestions will work well. #9861135

Joan E. Hoffman December 12, 2011

Thanks all for your comments. Stephen I tried the edits you suggested.... not sure I understood what you wanted on the close up... but here they are.

Was surprised to see the EP on the original version... must have entered it while I was asleep.... ???? Oh well. #9861337

Joan E. Hoffman December 12, 2011

Sorry had an internet problem... here they are #9861599

Joan E. Hoffman December 12, 2011

Cripes #9861604

Joan E. Hoffman December 12, 2011

Cripes #9861614

Joan E. Hoffman December 12, 2011

And yet one more time.... #9861620

Joan E. Hoffman December 12, 2011

Finally Sheesh.... apparently some rotting brain cells in evidence!!! #9861628

Debbie E. Payne December 12, 2011

I liked the original image but the close-up is an awesome shot. Just enough of an abstract look to it. Wonderful. Loved the dialogue that went with it and would love to get up into this neck of the woods one of these days. #9861750

Joan E. Hoffman December 12, 2011

Thanks Debbie. Osoyoos and the Okanagan valley are quite lovely. The northernmost reach of the Sonara desert, which makes this places one of the warmest in canada during the winter months. Because of my health, we have decided to stay this side of the border, so that we know we won't go bankrupt if any serious health issues arise. Its definitely not South Texas whether... but nor is it -40 :)
#9861916

Joan E. Hoffman December 12, 2011

Thats weather... not whether... and... just reread.... Your healthcare is substantially more expensive than ours..... we generally pay about $3000 a year for extra coverage.. however, I have a deep distrust of insurance companies.... turn you down... your bankrupt
#9861919

Stephen Shoff December 13, 2011

You did an excellent job of reading my mind, Joan.

On the original, I think the crop helped.

On the close up, I can see where you made the changes and they are what I described. I don't think the changes accomplished my intent, but they didn't really need to. Thank you for trying. Its a very nice picture as originally posted. #9863855

Joan E. Hoffman December 17, 2011

Well... Stephen... your suggestion can't have been a bad one, even if I didn't accomplish what you meant very well... it did get an ep anyway... thanks for the help! #9874768

Irene Colling level-classic January 08, 2012

I've never seen anything like this.

Your depth of field and layered detail gives the shot great perspective.

Nice work Joan. #9909692

Ellen H. Robertson level-classic January 15, 2012

This is the strangest lake. No wonder the Indians deemed it sacred. Before our science and technology walking up to a lake like this you had to believe it came from the unknown. Very unique shot.
Congrats on the EP #9922433

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